Syria and Israel in direct talks focused on security, sources say

A significant milestone in decades of conflict has been reached as Israel and Syria have held face-to-face meetings to calm tensions along their shared border. These contacts aim to prevent further escalation and are part of a broader effort by the U.S. to strengthen relations between newly formed Syrian authorities and Israel, while also easing Israeli airstrikes on Syria. The initiatives, which have been ongoing through intermediaries since December when Islamic rebels toppled Syria's Assad regime, reflect sustained efforts to bridge long-standing conflicts in the region.